PAST AND CURRENT PROJECTS
PROJECT FOCUS
The Zambezi Network’s projects are needs-driven across a range of identified gaps in the Zambezi Valley. Some of our core ongoing work includes enhancing communications across the landscape and coordinating stakeholders when needed, such as when there is a valley-wide event or threat. The Zambezi Network is currently also rolling out activities in partnership with human development organisations as one of their key conservation partners, focusing on community resilience and environmental stewardship.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT &
STAKEHOLDER COORDINATION PROJECTS
KANGALUWI COPPER MINE THREAT
Current Project
The Zambezi Network is currently working with an advocacy coalition group in Zambia (a group of organisations and individuals) in their fight to halt the Kangaluwi open-cast copper mine in the Lower Zambezi National Park, which could permanently damage 50% of the park as well as negatively impact the greater Zambezi Basin, including Mana Pools in Zimbabwe. The Zambezi Network aims to create awareness of the threat in Zimbabwe, engaging stakeholders and the wider Zimbabwe public. We hope that Zimbabwean authorities will engage Zambian authorities on the issue, as up until now, the Zambian government has not engaged its neighbours who could potentially be devastated by river pollution.
UTARIRI LANDSCAPE PROJECT
Current Project
The Zambezi Network has been contracted by the Danish Church Aid (DCA) to join the Utariri Project – a SIDA funded consortium project involving a range of conservation and development organisations, including the Farmers Association of Community Self Help Investment Group (FACHIG), Bushlife Conservancy, Future of Hope Foundation and African Wildlife Foundation. The aim of the project is to contribute towards sustainable management and utilisation of natural resources, restoration of biodiversity, climate action, and building community resilience in the Zambezi Valley. The first development-conservation landscape project of its kind in the middle Zambezi – the three year project will work in the communal areas across Hurungwe, Nyaminyami, Mbire and Muzarabani District.
Please contact us for more details on this project.
CHENGETAI PROJECT
The Zambezi Network has begun working in nine wards in the Muzarabani district under the UNDP/Gef funded Zambezi Valley Biodiversity Project. The consortium project, which is led by development organisation Danish Church Aid (DCA), and includes MyTrees Trust and Farmers Association of Community Self Help Investment Group (FACHIG), aims to implement community resilience building programmes in the Muzarabani communal areas. Through this programme the Zambezi Network will pilot its conservation education programme as well as assist with the establishment of stakeholder engagement platforms, and improving communications in the area.
Please contact us for more details on this project.
ANGWA RIVER MINING THREAT
March 2021
Concerns of a major mining development without a legitimate Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in the Angwa river led the Zambezi Network to investigate the story and quickly assemble an online stakeholder forum. The forum included the Environmental Management Agency (EMA), Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association (ZELA), area operators, local authorities, and the project developers with the aim to ensure the project would be conducted in line with environmental regulations. The Zambezi Network continues to keep abreast of illegal mining in the Angwa River which is a hotspot for both gold panners and commercial opportunities.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT OF THE MIDDLE ZAMBEZI BIOSPHERE PERIODIC REVIEW
October – December 2021
The Zambezi Network assisted the Zambezi Society with the project management, compiling and editing of the Middle Zambezi Biosphere Reserve (MZBR) 10-year review. The report was submitted to the Zimbabwe National Commission for UNESCO as an assessment of the progress of the MZBR since it was elected and gazetted as a Biosphere in 2010.
EDUCATION, AWARENESS & YOUTH LEADERSHIP PROJECTS
ZAMBEZI NETWORK YOUTH CONSERVATION PROGRAMME
Current Project
Educating the youth on the value of their natural resources and inspiring them to become guardians of nature is critical in securing a future of community stewardship and human wildlife co-existence in the middle Zambezi Valley. Recognising that there was no landscape-wide education programme, the Zambezi Network created and is now implementing a comprehensive one year curriculum that will first be launched in five schools in Muzarabani. The school clubs are tailored to the needs of the area and of each school, ensuring they align to existing curriculums and environmental programmes. The programme, which is assisted by fun practicals and learning activities, covers topics such as human-wildlife conflict/co-existence, water and sanitation, energy and forests, climate change, waste management, agro-ecology and more.
Please contact us for more details on this project.
COMMUNICATIONS I INFORMATION COMPILATION & SHARING
Zambezi Valley News and Stories
The Zambezi Network keeps abreast of key initiatives and events in the Zambezi Valley, keeping all stakeholders up to date. Read about inspiring NGOs and their work, as well as other important activities contributing to or threatening conservation in the middle Zambezi Landscape.
Zambezi Thematic Maps
As part of information sharing and communications, we are in the process of creating a series of maps to illustrate key conservation and human development activity in the middle-lower Zambezi Valley. The maps will give an overview of all organisations working across key themes and their area of operations.
Research Resources
We are currently developing an information platform of valuable research resources. Our current focus is a review of all HWC-focused research and projects conducted across Zimbabwe over the past 40 years. Our final report (part 2 of the exercise) hopes to guide further decisions and research regarding HWC projects.
FEATURED STORIES FROM THE NEWSROOM
Middle-Lower Zambezi ‘Utariri’ Integrated Biodiversity, Climate Change and Livelihoods Programme officially launches.
The Swedish funded Utariri stewardship programme is officially underway in the middle-lower...
Kangaluwi Copper Mine in the Lower Zambezi National Park threatens the Zambezi Valley Basin, including Mana Pools
Recent reports and images indicate that the Kangaluwi open-cast copper mine has begun development...
The State of Human-Wildlife Conflict in Zimbabwe: Moving from Conflict to Coexistence – A workshop hosted by USAID under the Resilience ANCHORS Activity
USAID Resilience ANCHORS Activity brought together stakeholders from across the country to discuss...
